Eight Pakistani athletes tested positive: PSB

The Pakistan Amateur Athletics
Federation was faced with an embarrassing situation after it
was disclosed that eight athletes had tested positive in dope
tests carried out during the national championships.

Karachi: The Pakistan Amateur Athletics
Federation was faced with an embarrassing situation after it
was disclosed that eight athletes had tested positive in dope
tests carried out during the national championships.

Though no official of the federation was willing to
confirm or deny the news but a member of the Pakistan Sports
Board anti-doping committee admitted eight athletes had failed
their dope tests.

"It is a matter of great concern for us because only
recently two other female athletes had tested positive during
out of competition dope tests in the national training camp in
Islamabad," he said yesterday.

The eight athletes who tested positive from the national
championship includes Muhammad Wasim, Muhammad Imran, Muhammad
Asif, Zehra Razzaq, Nadia Nazir, Shafugta Noreen, Rozina
Shafqat and Samira Zahoor -- all topped in their respective
events in the championship.

"These athletes face a possible two-year ban if their
appeals are not accepted. They have the right to appeal
against the initial penalties," a PSB official said.

The inquiry committee formed by the PSB to hear the
appeals of the two female athletes Sadaf Siddiqui (who
represented Pakistan in the Beijing Olympics) and Javaria had
rejected their appeals at a recent hearing handing out
two-year bans on them.